Ancient Law Requires Hay Bales on London Bridge

2025-05-22
Ancient Law Requires Hay Bales on London Bridge

Construction work on London's Charing Cross railway bridge has triggered a quirky ancient law. Due to reduced clearance under the bridge because of scaffolding, contractors are required to hang bales of hay as a warning to river traffic, a requirement dating back to medieval times. The hay bales, along with warning lights at night, will move along the bridge as the multi-year maintenance project progresses.

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Roman Ruins Unearthed in London Lead to Plans for a New Museum

2025-04-22
Roman Ruins Unearthed in London Lead to Plans for a New Museum

The discovery of Roman ruins, believed to be London's first 'city hall', during excavations for a skyscraper in the City of London has led to revised plans for the building. A free museum dedicated to Roman London's history will now occupy the basement level. The museum will feature an immersive display of the ruins, educational spaces, and will be curated in partnership with the Museum of London. The development's design has been altered to accommodate the museum, including a shorter tower and fewer lifts. However, the ground floor's public hall and accompanying cafes and restaurants are expected to benefit from increased foot traffic. The amended plans are awaiting approval from the City of London.

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Elizabeth Line Signaling Chaos: A Two-Day Breakdown

2025-01-01
Elizabeth Line Signaling Chaos: A Two-Day Breakdown

In November 2024, the London Elizabeth Line suffered a two-day shutdown due to signaling system failures. The article details the timeline of events, starting with intermittent communication problems at 5 am and culminating in a full restoration two days later. While the root cause remains undisclosed for security reasons, the breakdown involved multiple systems including communication networks, the core signaling system (CBTC), Automatic Route Setting (ARS), and GSMR radio links. Engineers undertook numerous system reboots and troubleshooting efforts, ultimately resolving the issue with Siemens' assistance. The incident highlights the complexities and vulnerabilities of modern transportation systems.

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